Hospice serving East Surrey chosen by High Sheriff for support during term of office

St Catherine's Hospice in Crawley, which serves the East Surrey area, has been named by the newly appointed High Sheriff of West Sussex, as his chosen charity.

For Jonathan Lucas has announced the hospice, which provides end-of-life care and support to terminally ill people and their families across East Surrey, Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex, as the cause he will support for his term in office.

Mr Lucas, owner of Warnham Park, has been chosen by the Queen to be her representative in West Sussex until March next year. As High Sheriff, he will support the local authorities and emergency services, as well as attending important local events. During the term of office, a High Sheriff will often also choose a particular charity or project to support. St Catherine's Hospice provides free nursing and medical care, counselling and welfare support to terminally ill patients in Surrey and Sussex. Because all of its services are free, the charity must raise around £15,000 every day to continue to care for local people. Mr Lucas said: "None of us know when we might need the support of our hospice, so I am delighted to be helping St Catherine's raise the vital funds it needs to ensure local people living with a terminal illness receive its extraordinary care, and are helped to make every moment the best it can be."

He said: “St Catherine's Hospice makes a huge difference to local people facing the end of life, as well as their families. “Each year we must raise over £5.5 million, and this type of support is a huge help in enabling us to achieve this target.”

People can support St Catherine's by volunteering, donating or taking part in one of its events. For more information visit its website at: www.stch.org.uk